Will Still explains decision to become Southampton manager

The former RC Lens and Stade Reims boss has been confirmed as taking over at Saints and delivered his first interview in the role on Monday.

Still led Lens to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 before confirming he was leaving the club and returning to England for personal reasons.

The 32 year old reportedly had previously turned down the opportunity to move to eventual Championship play-off winners Sunderland.

But he has opted to complete the switch to England's second tier this time around and has explained his decision to move to Southampton. 

"I'm absolutely delighted to be here. I think the welcome from everyone, whether that's supporters or has been brilliant," Still said.

Saints manager Will Still pictured at Staplewood (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)

"We'll enjoy a holiday first but then can't wait to get started. I can't wait to see everyone and properly kick off next season.

"I've been pretty open about coming back to England at some point in my career and there have been opportunities.

"There have been discussions with various people but I always said, when I come back, I want to be with the right people, the right environment.

"I want it to be the right place with the right sporting projects and I think all that criteria was met, it's something I could identify myself to.

"The opportunity there to work for Southampton, it just all clicked. My family have studied here and have got links to the region.

"So in the end, it was a no-brainer, really. Everything just felt right, all boxes were ticked, so I thought, yeah, let's go for it," he concluded. 

I spent today watching every goal scored and conceded by RC Lens under Will Still last season to jot down what I learned.

For; wing-play, crosses, corners, so key. Against; lot of counter-attacks. But explained why his numbers should be better.#SaintsFChttps://t.co/Mvcl984oDW

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) May 26, 2025

Still believes the infrastructure is in place at Saints to bounce back and achieve the club's aims following relegation from the Premier League.

Saints will be expected to win promotion back out of the Championship at the first attempt, in what will be Still's first season in England. 

Still said: "I think it's massive. The infrastructure is there, whether it be the stadium or Staplewood. I've walked around the training ground.

"You can do so many things and create the right environment for everyone to be in. But then also players-wise, there's a lot of talent.

"Southampton has always had the reputation of bringing very good players through the ranks so the possibilities are sort of endless.

"It'll be up to us to sort of get the best out of everyone and use all this infrastructure to be as competitive and win as many games as we can."